Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in Sherman Oaks

Thousands of individuals are killed or seriously injured each year because of alcohol-related accidents. Drunk driving accidents can significantly impact the lives of the injured victims who may face years of medical treatment, rehabilitation and lost income. If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver, it can be challenging and time-consuming to receive the compensation you deserve. It is in your best interest to secure the assistance of an experienced lawyer who has a proven track record in obtaining successful settlements and jury verdicts in drunk driving accident cases. The Drexler Law Firm can help you reach a fair settlement if you or a loved one has been injured in a drunk driving accident.

What Should You Do After Getting Hit by a Drunk Driver?

The hours and days following a drunk driving accident are critical. If at all possible, there are a few things you should make sure to do after getting hit by a drunk driver.

• Pull Over – If your car is still drivable, you should pull over to the side of the road and out of the way of oncoming traffic. Activate your hazard flashing lights.
• Call the Police – You should call the police and request that they respond to the scene. If asked to give a statement by the police, be truthful but never admit fault.
• Seek Medical Attention – Go to the E.R. or Urgent Care. Even if you have only suffered minor injuries, you should get checked out by a medical professional. Injuries, like whiplash, may not seem bad and may not be noticeable for days after a rear-end car accident. Experienced personal injury attorneys can arrange for treatment on liens.
• Gather Evidence – This includes taking photos of the accident scene and damaged vehicles. You should write down the contact information of all witnesses.
• Do not give a statement or discuss the accident with the other driver’s insurance. You are required to give a statement to your own insurance representatives and cooperate with their investigation.

Should You Hire a Drunk Driving Lawyer?

The best way to protect your rights and maximize your ability to receive fair compensation is to consult with an experienced Los Angeles drunk driving accident attorney. There are unique and complicated aspects to successfully prosecuting a drunk driving case. Even if the drunk driver is cited by the police and criminally charged with drunk driving, you still need to prove that the driver caused the accident and prove the damages caused by the collision. If the drunk driver pleads nolo contendere in the criminal case, this is not an admission of guilt and proof of fault is still required in the separate civil case. If the drunk driver’s insurance company does not offer a reasonable amount to settle, a lawsuit must be filed. Drafting the allegations in such a lawsuit is complicated because punitive damages may be sought for reckless and intentional conduct, such as driving under the influence, however, the driver’s insurance company may deny coverage if the actions of their insured are deemed to be intentional as opposed to negligent conduct.

To receive adequate compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering, your interests are best served by hiring an experienced auto accident attorney in Los Angeles, The Drexler Law Firm. You need an attorney with expertise in successfully representing injured victims in drunk driving cases. A skilled attorney, with a proven track record of obtaining large settlements and jury trial verdicts, knows how to deal with the insurance adjusters, defense attorneys, and the legal system. Your health and financial future are too important not to seek out specialized legal representation to maximize the compensation you deserve. You should retain the qualified drunk driving accident attorneys at The Drexler Law Firm.

Drunk Driving Legal Limits in California

There are legal limits regarding the amount of alcohol found in a driver’s blood. In California, drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol are legally required to submit to a breathalyzer test, blood test or urine sample. If the driver is found to have a level of 0.08 BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) or higher, that person can be found criminally guilty of drunk driving. Even if a driver has a BAC lower than the legal limit, evidence of the driver’s level of impairment is relevant to proving their negligence in a civil case. It is scientifically proven that small amounts of alcohol affect a person’s visual acuity, peripheral vision, and attention.

Drunk Driving Statistics at a Glance

Drunk driving is a national problem and the devastating effects of drunk driving create financial burdens, permanent injuries, deaths, medical costs, and altered lives. Here are some startling drunk driving statistics.

• Every 2 minutes somebody is affected by a drunk driving accident.
• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that two out of three people will be in a drunk driving accident at some point in their lives.
• There is one drunk driving death approximately every 53 minutes.
• The Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation reported that drunk driving costs the United States over $132 billion each year, including property damage, medical costs, law enforcement, and legal costs and higher insurance rates.

How Much Compensation Am I Entitled To?

The type of compensation you receive will depend on how severe the damage is to your car, the nature and extent of your injuries, the amount of your current and future medical bills, the extent of your disability, and the amount of your lost earnings. Once property damage for a damaged or totaled vehicle has been paid and the economic damages are calculated (like medical bills and lost earnings), the value of your non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, is negotiated between your attorney and the insurance adjuster or defense attorney retained by the insurance company. 

Punitive damages may be available if a lawsuit is filed claiming reckless or intentional conduct by the drunk driver. Forensic experts can be retained to present the evidence regarding impaired driving and the assessment of fault.

An experienced personal injury attorney, with a proven track record of large settlements and jury trial verdicts, will likely get a higher negotiated settlement. If the insurance adjuster or defense counsel refuses to make a reasonable offer to settle, you need a well-seasoned trial attorney to take the case to trial and obtain a fair jury verdict. 

Learn more about how much you can expect from your car accident settlement.

Why Choose The Drexler Law Firm?

The attorneys at the Drexler Law Firm have extensive experience representing injured car accident victims. We have a proven track record of obtaining large settlements and sizeable jury verdicts in trial on behalf of our clients. We have a hands-on approach and address client needs with compassion and personal attention. We have the advocacy skills and the passion to fight for your right to be made whole and receive the best settlement possible. David Drexler is Nationally Board Certified by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys. The Drexler Law Firm has the skills, the experience, and the resources to deliver the best representation for injured victims in all types of accident cases.

Serving Sherman Oaks, San Fernando Valley, Greater Los Angeles and Southern California

The Drexler Law Firm is located at 13808 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oak, California 91423. Near the junction of Interstate 405 and U.S. 101, we are conveniently located between Mammoth Avenue and Matilija Avenue, with free parking behind our building. We are committed to offering the best personal injury legal services in Sherman Oaks, the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, and throughout Southern California. 

Get Started

The easiest and most important step to assure that you get the fair compensation you need and deserve is to call The Drexler Law Firm and schedule a free consultation with a skilled drunk driving accident lawyer in Los Angeles. We can answer your questions and start processing your claim. At The Drexler Law Firm, we will take the time to evaluate the facts of your case and walk you through the legal process. It is important to get started quickly because the insurance company is not waiting around. They are busy gathering physical evidence and talking to witnesses to defeat or minimize your claim.